Founded in 1948, CSI, or the Construction Specifications Institute, is a national association dedicated to creating standards and formats to improve construction documents and project delivery. The organization is unique in the industry in that its members are a cross section of specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors and building materials suppliers.
The organization has 146 chapters and more than 15,000 members. Monthly Chapter meetings allow members the opportunity to communicate openly with their counterparts and exchange information for successful project management.
CSI is renowned in the industry for its rigorous certification programs for professionals seeking to improve their knowledge of accurate and concise construction documents. CSI provides continuing education, professional conferences, and product shows.
CSI History
"The Construction Specifications Institute: 50 Years and Still Building"
In 1947, World War II had transformed the country. A large number of servicemen returned home seeking jobs and starting families, causing the construction industry to change its focus from the government or public works to the private sector. New housing was the most pressing need. Schools, churches, stores and office buildings were being rushed from drawing board to construction to fill public demand. Specifications, the basic language of construction, was a major problem since each government agency and each architectural/engineering firm had its own unique way of preparing specifications for construction projects, resulting in considerable confusion. A common specifications method was urgently needed within the construction industry to bring order out of chaos.
A group of specifications chiefs from several federal government agencies and the private sector in Washington, DC, recognized this need. In early 1947, the group began to meet informally to discuss the problems caused by the lack of uniformity in construction documentation. They devised a plan to establish an organization where those interested in construction communications could work to develop a common method of communication within the industry. They envisioned an entity that would boost the speed of construction, along with its quality and cost-effectiveness, and bring uniformity to the industry.
Their vision became a reality on March 8, 1948, when the articles of incorporation were signed to create CSI. Forty-five members attended CSI's first meeting, held in April 1948, in Washington. At this time, CSI pursued five goals: better specification writing, simpler specifications, uniform building codes, standardized specifications for public construction projects, and the study of new materials and processes developed during WWII. The Institute also acted quickly to foster communication among its members. In 1949, the first issue of the Construction Specifier magazine was published. Throughout the years, Construction Specifier has helped guide the industry in writing better specifications.
In June 1982, a Charter was issued and the Idaho Chapter Construction Specification Institute was a reality.
The Idaho Chapter CSI has grown from the original forty-four members to a current membership of eighty-eight.It can be very proud of its many accomplishments all of which have been done in a friendly atmosphere and of benefit to the design and building construction industry in Idaho.
CSI’s Core Values:
Foster innovation and creative thinking.
Honor and embrace our diversity.
Encourage personal and professional growth.
Make knowledge-based decisions.
Strive for cooperative solutions.
Promote stewardship of the environment.
Promote and recognize individual and team excellence.
